Is Boris's trip essential?

He isn't very good at reading the room. I'd have thought someone in the Cabinet would have had a quiet word with him (or one of his advisors)

can someone tell me why they keep touching one another's elbows too? Is that really necessary?

It may well be allowed (as it's work related) yet still, it sends the wrong message, doesn't it?

Meetings can be arranged online. Physical presence is not required!

As prime minister of great Britain it is of course his privilege to visit all parts of the country. However he really needs to 'read the room'. It isn't necessary and could have been done online. Therefore it smacks of publicity for political reasons which is ironic given Douglas Ross et al have been accusing Nicola Sturgeon of doing that.

Nannydaft If he is making a working visit, then he must be making it to another person working in the same field, who he wants to talk to directly. The visit is either essential for both or inessential to both.

Inessential travel into Scotland is now seriously discouraged.
Nicola Sturgeon will no doubt think his trip is not needed - there are telephones, zoom meetings, emails, tweets and in the last resort even letters.

I would say there are two reasons for his visit - to try to assert his superior power as pm of the UK over the First Minister about the devolved issue of Health Matters, or to get in a little break for himself. Maybe he'll bring a tent and a primus stove.

Its not essential.

He's not coming to meet Nicola. He's coming get his face associated with the army and the vaccinators. To tell us how lucky we are to have the Union to support us and how without it everything would be much worse.

He's the best advert for independence I can think of .

How many police will be needed for his visit? They’ve got more important things to do, as do everyone that has to accommodate him.

Nicola Sturgeon has not directly told Boris not to come to Scotland. Whether she approves or disapproves, she hasn’t said. Too intelligent to fall into that trap. A zoom call would be a safer option but being Boris, well, he loves a photo shoot.

It will be interesting to see which other First Minister he decides to visit! Boris will make that decision when it suits him.

I agree jaylucy. In my opinion, an unnecessary visit to disrupt vaccine centres/hospitals is not what I would call an essential part of their job or helpful.

My daughter is an NHS nurse in the hospital overlooking the lab site he is due to visit.

She and her colleagues are of the opinion a visit from Boris Johnson is the last thing they need right now. If they had the opportunity they would protest during their tea breaks. But unfortunately they are working to the point of exhaustion and are unlikely to have a tea break.

TBH I’d have thought that if anything, a visit from him would be more likely to make anyone vote SNP in the May elections.

What’s she scared off? Or does she have enough to contend with the Salmond case? Now that’s a queer kettle of fish - sorry couldn’t resist. Surprised not been a post on GN.

Er, could they not FaceTime like the rest of us?

He is not breaking the rules he is working ! Sorry but Nichola Sturgeon is the non essential here !

I also wonder about the hospital / vaccination centre visits that he and other politicians from all parties are currently doing - are they really necessary at this time when there are many people who would either like to have an appointment for treatment or to visit relatives that aren't allowed to.

I'm sure the bunting will be out to welcome Bozzer as he goes on a walkabout!

Mixed messages yet again. He probably wants to do a photo shoot with her.